Construction on the Bayonne Bridge may not always make sense to the casual observer. Pictured is the inaccessible old lower level of the Bayonne Bridge, still holding construction vehicles. The vehicles are likely not immediately needed and will be removed at a later phase of construction. Does anyone know how they’re going to be removed? The Raise the Roadway Project, which began in May of 2013 and raises the bridge clearance by 64 feet, is expected to be completed in 2019.

In the Briefs section of the Nov. 15 edition of the Bayonne Community News, we reported that Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti was appointed president of Hudson County Community College (HCCC). He was appointed VicePresident of Planning and Development.

Kevin Kuhl to run for Bayonne City Council

Kevin Kuhl, owner of the East Side bar, Kuhl’s Tavern, announced that he will run for the Second Ward Bayonne City Council seat in the June election on mayoral candidate Jason O’Donnell’s slate, pitting himself against incumbent Second Ward Councilman Sal Gullace.

Kuhl raised his two sons in Bayonne, where he coached Little League and CYO basketball. His tavern, on the corner of 22nd Street and Prospect Avenue, is known for hosting after-parties for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the last 25 years. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Bayonne Friends of Special Children, which fundraises on behalf of disabled children in the city, and the Board of Directors for the Don and Arlene Ahern Foundation.

“I’ve lived in Bayonne my entire life and I’ve never seen out of control development like what we’ve seen the past few years,” said Kuhl in a press release. “Handing out tax breaks for these rich, out of town developers has not only created constant construction and insane traffic everywhere, it costs taxpayers long term and has done nothing to fix the lack of parking Bayonne residents have to deal with every day throughout the city.”

“Kevin and I have the same goals for our city: to stop giving away taxpayer money to rich developers and to put City Hall’s focus back on all of our kids and all of our families where it belongs,” said Jason O’Donnell in a press release.

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 Endorses Jason O’Donnell for Mayor of Bayonne

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 announced its endorsement of mayoral candidate Jason O’Donnell, who will run against Mayor James Davis in June. Greg Lalevee, Business Manager of IUOE Local 825 said in a statement, “I’ve had the privilege throughout my career to work alongside some of the most dedicated, understanding and committed public servants from both sides of the aisle – but when it comes to fighting for working and middle class families, Jason O’Donnell is in a class of his own. A true champion for labor, Jason has been there at every turn for our members and we proud to return the support.”

Headquartered in Springfield, NJ, the International Union Operating Engineers Local 825 represents nearly 7,000 operating engineers throughout New Jersey and five counties of lower New York.

The group’s super PAC, Stronger Foundations, has contributed to many political campaigns in the state, including in Hudson County where it has paid for a Facebook ad supporting Rebecca Symes in Jersey City’s Ward E council runoff election, Ravi Bhalla in Hoboken’s mayoral race, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, as well as politicians in the Assembly and State Senate.

Bayonne man among 79 charged with alleged child sexual abuse

William Esker, 22, of Bayonne, was charged on Sept. 7 by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office with aggravated criminal sexual contact. Authorities say he engaged in alleged sexual conduct with a girl, 14, over whom he had direct supervision as a camp counselor. He also is charged with allegedly providing obscene material to a child and endangering the welfare of a child.

Two from Jersey City are among the 79 charged by state authorities.

Teens found allegedly trying to steal from mailbox

Two teens were caught allegedly trying to steal from a mailbox on 20th Street and Broadway in the early morning hours of Friday, December 1, according to the Bayonne Police Department. The two men, who are 19 and 17, were observed by police allegedly attempting to steal the contents of a mailbox. Upon inspecting the mailbox, the officers noticed a shoestring protruding from the mailbox door that had a glue trap affixed to the bottom with various items of mail stuck to it. The teens were allegedly found with glue and various pieces of mail when they were taken into police custody. One was released on summons, while the other was released to his parent.

Man shot on Avenue C

Bayonne Police found a man shot in the chest and leg outside of a deli on 19th Street and Avenue C while responding to reports of shots fired at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, according to the Bayonne Police Department. The man underwent surgery at Jersey City Medical Center. The alleged shooter fled the scene and no arrests have yet been made. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Bayonne Police Detective Bureau asks that anyone who may have information regarding the incident and/or the actor please contact Detective Murphy of the Bayonne Police Detective Bureau at (201) 858-6925. They may also call the Bayonne Police Tipline at (877) 900-8477 or text their tip with keyword “TIPBPD” to 274637.

Jersey City man arrested for allegedly extorting $5,800 from a Bayonne woman

Isaac D. Martillo, 20, of Jersey City, was charged with allegedly extorting money from a 25-year-old Bayonne female resident in late November, according to the Bayonne Police Department. The 25-year-old female reported that she had been contacted by an unknown man, later identified as Martillo, who allegedly threatened to divulge private information unless she paid him. Martilloallegedly extorted $5,800 from the victim and allegedly attempted to extort more before being arrested by Bayonne Police detectives on November 30.

The program will include presentations by medical experts about how to better manage congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A free, healthy lunch will be included.

Register at holly.goroff@carepointhealth.org or Nancy.aleman@carepointhealth.org.

The event will be held at Christ Hospital, 176 Palisade Ave., Jersey City.

CarePoint is Jersey City’s local health care provider, offering a full continuum of care to city residents. This comprehensive program often begins with the response of McCabe Ambulance, a CarePoint partner. It continues with treatment from the Christ Hospital Emergency Department, diagnostic departments, and inpatient and outpatient services.

Bill that bans bump stocks advances in Assembly

Legislation to ban the bump stock, a device that allows semiautomatic weapons to fire more rapidly, was advanced Thursday by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, Brent Johnson reported for NJ.com. The bump stock was used in the mass shooting two months ago in Las Vegas in which 58 people were killed. The proposed legislation calls for penalties of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

U.S. Supreme Court hears case on sports betting in NJ

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in a case that pits the state of NJ against National Collegiate Athletic Association that will determine whether sports betting should be legal in the state.

Gov. Christie traveled to Washington, D.C. to listen in on the hearing. The New York Times reports that the governor, who has historically low approval ratings, sees sports betting legalization as a boon for his legacy.

After listening tooral arguments, Gov. Chris Christie was optimistic. "I thought the hearing went great," Christie said outside the courthouse in Washington, according to The Record.

If NJ wins the case, it would take about two weeks before gamblers could start wagering on sports. A ruling in the case is expected before the court’s term ends in June.

Bear hunt continues. Could it be the last?

The second part of NJ’s annual bear hunt began on Monday, December 4 after the first part killed 244 bears. If Gov.-elect Phil Murphy fulfills his campaign pledge, this may be the last hunt for a while. In a statement, Murphy said before authorizing any more hunts, he wants a better understanding of the effectiveness and "proof it works better than nonlethal options.”

Democrat step forward to challenge Menendez in primary

A former member of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s campaign staff is stepping forward to challenge NJ Sen. Bob Menendez in the Democratic primary. CBS News reports that Michael Starr Hopkins, an attorney who works in New York City, filed a statement of candidacy for Senate with the Federal Election Commission on Nov. 30. He also wrote an Op-Ed article published by The Hill on Monday citing Menendez’s recent corruption trial, in which the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

“I’m taking the first steps towards challenging Bob Menendez because I believe New Jersey deserves a fresh start, the chance to vote for someone who hasn’t been tainted by the culture of corruption in Trenton and Washington, someone who doesn’t owe any favors to the political establishment or powerful interests,” Hopkins wrote.